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2nd DZD Diabetes Research School: Ambition Meets Experience

Around 90 young scientists, PhD students and postdocs from around the world met in mid-September in Klosterneuburg near Vienna with seven distinguished diabetes researchers for an inspiring and insightful exchange of ideas. The German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) hosted the event.

During the one-day Research School, the international researchers were available for discussions with the young scientists in a relaxed atmosphere. To kick-off the event, on the evening prior to the actual Research School day, the well-known scientist Jesse Roth from the Feinstein Institute in New York City gave a keynote lecture on “The Endocrinization of Biology and Medicine”. In the inspiring environment of the Klosterneuburg monastery, the ideas about current diabetes research flew back and forth between the speakers on the podium and the young scientists in the audience. DZD board members Professor Martin Hrabě de Angelis and Professor Hans-Ulrich Häring, who led through the day, were enthusiastic about the Research School: “Here learning is reciprocal – we learn from the young generation of scientists just as they learn from us!” they commented.

A broad spectrum of diabetes research was covered, which included mechanisms of insulin secretion, insulin resistance and metabolic mechanisms; metabolic organ cross talk and central glucose sensing; the function of adipose tissue in metabolic disease; the role of the CNS as regulator of energy homeostasis; and the regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis in the mouse model. The speakers Susumu Seino, Japan, Sree Nair, USA, Bernard Thorens, Switzerland, Silvia Corvera, Eleftheria Maratos-Flier, both USA, and Jens Brüning, Cologne, each of whom were introduced by a young researcher, were available for discussion and to answer any questions, not only after their presentations, but also during the breaks and in the evening.

After an intensive scientific exchange, all participants were able to gain an impression of the significance of the monastery during a guided tour, before the day came to an end with further conversations and discussions over typical Austrian “Heuriger” (this year’s wine). “The selection of speakers was really very good,” said Mandy Station, a participant from Potsdam, “and in the impressive venue with the well-organized complementary program we all learned a lot and enjoyed the exchange with other young scientists very much.“

Many participants traveled on from Klosterneuburg to Vienna for the annual meeting of the EASD. Before leaving, they made plans to meet their newly acquainted colleagues at the next DZD Diabetes Research School.
Due to the great interest, the DZD plans to continue this format. Young scientists, PhD students and postdocs who are interested in participating in the Research School are requested to send an informal e-mail to school(at)dzd-ev.de in order to receive information about future events.